I wonder …

By Rev Sandy Brodine

I wonder whether holiday programs work these days?

While meeting with Chris Waddell recently, we discussed the holiday programs that run at Glen Waverley Uniting Church.

These programs run for three days each holidays for youth in the age range 8-13 years old.

Chris spoke about the way that he has invigorated the focus of these programs since taking on his role as Minister for the First Third of Life at GWUC. Here is his story.

“So far we’ve run the program for two sets of holidays. The program ran for three hours on three days in the school holidays.

“The first time we ran an Easter cooking event where we cooked four recipes together, a different recipe each day. We had thought we’d have different kids each day use similar recipes so we tweaked the recipes each day.

“One recipe was really messy on the first day so we adapted our plan on the fly so that we didn’t have so much clean up the next time.

“We did different versions of the same recipe each day, so that the kids became experts at making it by the third day.

“Each child took a recipe book home with them and the cooking that they had made as a keepsake or memory of what they had done.

“For the second program we did circus skills, with a different one each day. The program went for four hours each day.

“We created a booklet of skills and a little gift to take home. On the first day they had a red nose and clown wig, the second day we made juggling balls and the third day balloon animals.

“Each day also included a ;God story’ which was also included in the booklet.  The kids enjoyed an opportunity to do something they’d never done before.

“The kids enjoyed the hands-on element of each program, as well as being together. Although some might wonder why we continued to use similar recipes once we realised that we had kids attending every day, we decided that this was a positive thing to do.

“Repetitive programming is really helpful for neurodivergent kids. Kids were also given information about what would happen on each day so that they knew what was happening and could feel comfortable in it.

“We charged $15 a day for cooking and $20 (with discounts) which covered the costs. Families were happy to pay to cover the costs given that school-run holiday programs are generally more expensive.

“Group size went from 12 on the first day to 16 and then 18. Some of the kids knew one another, and others came as individuals.

“The kids who came on the last day for the first time still felt that they could fit in because the group size was small.

“Only 10 per cent of the participants were GWUC regulars, the vast majority were kids from the local community with no church affiliation. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel.”

Opportunity to grow leadership among older teens

“A group of five teens (aged 14-20) also joined us in planning and running the event.

“One of the young people is doing the VET subject Vetamorphis and has been heavily involved in the planning of the holiday program as part of this school subject.

“The teen leaders have developed a sense of ownership of the program and of their church as they experienced serving the community.

“This also gave kids with neurodiversity an opportunity to work out their place in the world.

“We had a devotional time together as part of the leading community which also deepened their own faith life.”

If people would like to know more they can contact Chris at chris.waddell.gwuc@gmail.com